The Cockburn Incident

The Cockburn Incident
Directed by Zachary Sheridan. Fringe World. Centre for Stories, Northbridge, WA. Jan 31 - Feb 3, 2018

The Cockburn Incident is set over a single day in a fictional Perth high school. Played in a presentational style by an enthusiastic young cast, it showcases a very clever and funny young writer and some promising new talent.

On the first day of the year at Cockburn College, someone has burnt the image of a giant phallus into the oval - the day before the new Year Sevens will arrive. School Captain and Angela Lansbury fan, Diane, will stop at nothing to find the culprit. 

Director Zachary Sheldon’s writing is precise, pithy and Pythonesque, and his direction is clear, with lovely use of a Greek Chorus and a beautiful sense of the bizarre.
The cast playing school students all look young enough to be in Year 12, and create gorgeous and distinct characters. Elisa Wilson shines as lisping, determined and unnerving Diane, while Tamara Creasey is believable as her BFF Lucy.  Strong performances from Courtney Henri as high achiever Sophie, Christopher Moro as Conor - a boy with a secret, and James Thomasson as the beautifully awkward Fitzy. Marshall Stay showed strong dedication to the role as teacher Mr Care, and performed double-duty in sound design - which was excellent. 

The ensemble worked extremely well as a team. On Opening Night there were some obvious nerves in the first few minutes, including a few fluffed lines, but they settled quickly into a slick performance. Highlights included cameo appearances as a cat, a tree and the oval, and an exciting low tech chase sequence.

For those familiar with Daisy Pulls It Off or Moby Dick - The Musical, The Cockburn Incident is similar in style - a school play on amphetamine and very funny.
Another great aspect of The Cockburn Incident is that proceeds from ticket sales, donations and “zines” made by “the students” go to Street Friends WA, a group of people who provide provisions to the homeless.

Almost impossible to get tickets to this one - a very short run in a tiny venue, but well worth keeping an eye out for return seasons or future ventures from this team.

Kimberley Shaw

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